World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga blasted Tamil Nadu politicians for their calls to keep Sri Lankan players out of the Indian Premier League matches in Chennai.

Speaking to NDTV, the former Sri Lankan cricketer said while he believes sports and politics should be kept separate, it is not the case in reality.

Arjuna Ranathunga said Tamil Nadu politicians are more keen on getting extra votes and try to fool the public.

Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga stated that at a moment where two Sri Lankan players have been removed from the IPL the other players also should refuse to play in the IPL.

With the protests against Sri Lanka entering the 25th day today student leaders in Chennai say their agitation will intensify in the coming days.

The Indian government says the recent protests on the Sri Lankan issue in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu were politically motivated.

Inaugurating a token fast today undertaken by the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee, Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office V. Narayanasamy said most of the protests carried out by a few organisations, forums and students in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu were not spontaneous.

He said many of them were politically motivated and Some of the parties wanted to enjoy political mileage by supporting the protests.